Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and wife Shwetambari Bail, were denied again in the ₹30 Crore fraud case

vikram bhatt and wife bail denied

Veteran filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari Bhatt have suffered another legal setback as an Udaipur court on December 24 rejected their bail plea for the second time in connection with a high‑profile ₹30 crore fraud case. The couple, who were arrested in early December, have been held in judicial custody amid ongoing investigations into alleged financial irregularities and cheating.

In their second attempt to secure bail, the Bhatts had argued on medical grounds, seeking interim relief. However, the Udaipur court reiterated that the investigation is still at a sensitive and crucial stage, emphasising that granting bail could hamper further inquiries, including the possibility of additional arrests and extensive questioning of key witnesses and suspects.

The fraud case stems from a complaint filed by Dr Ajay Murdia, a Udaipur‑based IVF entrepreneur, who accused the Bhatt couple and several associates of duping him of nearly ₹30 crore. According to the FIR, Dr Murdia had been persuaded to invest substantial funds for the production of multiple films, including a biopic on his late wife, with promises of lucrative returns. The promised profits, reportedly projected between ₹100 crore and ₹200 crore, allegedly never materialised, prompting him to approach law enforcement.

The couple were taken into custody from Mumbai by Rajasthan Police on December 7, after a transit remand was secured to bring them to Udaipur for further questioning. They were initially held in police custody before being remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. Along with the Bhatts, co‑producer Mehboob Ansari and a vendor named Sandeep were also arrested earlier in the probe.

Also read: Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and wife Shwetambari sent to judicial custody in alleged 30 crore fraud case; interim bail plea rejected

Vikram Bhatt responded to the FIR, saying that the police are being misled. The filmmaker told ANI, “I came to know today that there has been an FIR. I think it came on a TV channel in Rajasthan that there has been an FIR against me. And then a journalist friend of mine sent me an FIR. So I read the entire FIR. Now, to be honest, I feel that the Rajasthan Police is being misled. As far as my question is concerned, I don’t know. I have been told that there is NC first. I have not received anything like that. So first, I thought it would be NC. But now I have come to know that it is an FIR.”